INTERVIEW: Qari Muhammad Hanif Jalandhari
Wifaq-ul-Madaris makes the case for not interfering with seminaries
Religious seminaries, or madrassas, came back to prime time news after the Peshawar tragedy and the 21st amendment. The debate that some, if not most, madrassas provide an enabling environment for would-be terrorists has been doing the rounds for years. But with the National Action Plan, it seemed time had finally come to move beyond rhetoric. The clergy was expected to resist, of course, and the first sign of its distaste came when Maulana Fazl (of the JUI-F) strongly criticised certain elements of the 21st amendment.
Since then, little action has been seen on the part of the government, while the religious right has been pretty vocal in the defence of its madrassah system. And the public is still without answers to questions about the future of Zarb-e-Azb. Is it, finally, going to come down from the mountains of the tribal area to Pakistan’s urban centres. And when it does, will it confront sectarian outfits that have indulged in open murder for decades; since long before the TTP even existed? And, perhaps most importantly, what is the game plan for the seminaries?
Since the government is not forthcoming, DNA talked to Qari Muhammad Hanif Jalandhari, secretary general of the Ittehad-e-Tanzeemat-e-Madaris-e-Deenia — an umbrella organisation of five main bodies representing seminaries from as many different schools of thought, in the first of many interviews aimed at understanding the position of the clergy as the military operation changes focus from bombs and bullets in Waziristan to intel-intensive procedures in the provinces.
The five bodies of religious seminaries that Qari Hanif speaks for include Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia (Madaris of Deobandi school of thought), Tanzeem-ul-Madaris Pakistan (seminaries of Barelvi school of thought), Rabta-ul-Madaris (seminaries running under the Jamaat-e-Islami), Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al-Shi’a (madaris run by the Shi’a school of thought) and Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al Salafia (representing the Ahl-e-Hadith school of thought).
For more than two decades Hanif Jalandhari has been representing the Wifaq-ul-Madaris. He is credited with bringing together religious groups who have been known to be at each other’s throats otherwise – a rare achievements considering Pakistan’s present situation. He spoke about the madrassas, their funding, and other details.
Question: Is there a standoff between the government and seminaries on issues concerning funding, curriculum, etc?
Hanif Jalandhari: There were some issues between the Wifaq-ul-Madaris and the government. We had urged the government to consult us about their concerns and allegations against any madrassah, so matters could be resolved amicably.
Better sense has prevailed since then and there have been several rounds of talks between the government and the Wifaq-ul-Madaris. We also met with the minister for interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, on January 17. The meeting went well and it has been agreed to carry forward the consultative process. Chaudhry Nisar has formed a committee headed by federal secretary, ministry of religious affairs, for future consultation process between the two sides, which held its meeting on January 20.
During the meeting, the government put forth its concerns and we presented our viewpoint. The issues regarding the foreign students, curriculum and (foreign) funding and audit of the seminaries may come under discussion during following meetings. We hope that the government would come forth with its concerns and we will table our suggestions to resolve the issues in a constructive environment.
Q: Are you categorically rejecting foreign donations? Also, what is the relationship of the Wifaq-ul-Madaris with the Lal Masjid?
HJ: If we go into the history of madrassas in the subcontinent, we can never trace a link between them and terrorism. Moreover, the allegation of foreign funding to the madrassas is also a myth. The fact of the matter is that no madrassah receives funds from any foreign government. So much so that an offer of US aid to the tune of $6 billion was rejected by religious seminaries. When our madrassas don’t accept any grant from our own government, how could one think of receiving anything from abroad?
Moreover, audited reports of madrassas are sent to government authorities on a regular basis. But unfortunately, as part of the global agenda, a particular lobby is actively demeaning the madrassas.
There have been conflicting statements about alleged relations of madaris with terrorists. Such statements, without any concrete evidence, are not only untrue but also uncalled for. We have time and again asked the government to share with us if it has any evidence in this regard. Till date, no such evidence has been shared with us.
As far as the matter of Lal Masjid is concerned, there have been ambiguous statements about it. We have nothing to do with it. Rather, it is solely being regulated by the government. Jamia Hafsa is also not registered with our Wifaq-ul-Madaris. So, again, we have nothing to do with the affairs of the Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa.
Q: Could you explain the situation with regard to Jamia Faridiya, which has made it to the press recently?
HJ: Yes, Jamia Faridiya is registered with the wifaq but the government has yet not shared any evidence with us. Once the government comes up with the proof of the involvement of the Jamia Faridiya with terrorism, we will take action and would cancel its registration with the wifaq. But no evidence has yet been shared with us.
Q: In case the government keeps pressing the madrassas, is there a chance of a confrontation; maybe demonstrations?
HJ: We have never talked of any demonstrations against the government. Rather, we want to resolve all issues through dialogue. And talks are going ahead amicably and we hope that all matters would be resolved through talks.
Q: Some religious leaders were very vocal against any reforms or regulations meant for madrassas. And, again, since the government (and the military) seem convinced to go ahead with some sort of overhaul, do you stand with those religious elements against the reforms drive?
HJ: You must be referring to the statement by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. It was not about madaris and rather it was about 21st Constitutional (Amendment) bill. We also support the stance of the JUI-F chief.
We think that it is unjust to link region with terrorism or sects. This law is discriminatory in nature. We think that this law would provide a shelter to the nationalistic terrorists. Discriminatory laws have no legal basis and the parliament should not have passed a discriminatory law like this.
We believe that a terrorist is a terrorist and there should be no distinction between a religious terrorist and a nationalist terrorist. No one should be allowed to conduct terrorism against innocent people in garb of religion, sect or nationality. Linking terrorism with a religion or sect would only lead to disaster. It is of no service to the people of Pakistan.